Saturday 1 May 2010

The Festival of The Trees 47

May Day, Beltane & The Tree of Life

The Festival of the Trees n0.47 is upon us leaping joyously into the month of May and Beltane. As Samhain marked the beginning of the Celtic year and the death of summer, Beltane is the celebration of renewed life after the long winter. Everywhere there are signs of life, renewal in energy and inspiration. Lambs, calves and foals can be seen in the fields. The earth is waking and sending up shoots and sprouts. Our gardens and embankments are awash with blooms. Nesting birds enchant us with their song and the trees tenderly uncurl their leaves showing us reassurance and promises of splendour to come. Spring is here!

It is no wonder that the magical changes of season, the stepping out from the dark into the light inspire us so. Robert Frost describes the early leaf as 'a flower', Shakespeare writes 'When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing'. Robert Louis Stevenson speaks happily about 'The fallows and the leafless trees, And all my spirit tingled', and Phillip Larkin captures the essence of the fertility of this time exuberantly in his poem 'The Trees'.
The trees are coming into leaf
Like something alm
ost being said;
The recent buds relax and spread,
Their greenness is a kind of grief.

Is it that they are born again
And we grow old? N
o, they die too,
Their yearly
trick of looking new
Is written down in rings of grain.

Yet still the unresting castles thresh
In fullgrown thickness every May.
Last year is de
ad, they seem to say,
Begin afresh, afresh, a
fresh.

This month we have some wonderful participants generously sharing their love of nature and trees. Spirthelpers offers inspirational poetry and pictures of breathtaking beauty in posts celebrating Earth Day, and the Festival of the Trees. Seabrooke Leckie enthralls us with the remarkable tree climbing porcupine. Leaves and Bloom gives us the 'scentsational' Mimosa Tree. The Honest Hypocrite shares with us an explosion of colour wit his pictures of Cherry Trees and Magnolia's. Mille Fiori Favoriti explores the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prairie Walker also shows us the beauty of the Magnolia tree and that:

'Trees remind us that there is always hope for a rebirth,
a refreshed spirit, and a renewal of life'.

Above you can see Lynne Hoppe's own special way of honoring the trees. Stay a while and watch Lynne's enchanting film about her 'Green Shrine Tree'. T takes us walking through the bush to visit the Fungi Tree. Cheryl Dolby shares her magical tree inspired paper dolls in her collection of 'Grandmother Trees'. Below you can see a draft of 'The Tree of Life' by the esteemed artist Patricia Ariel. Ariel has worked on this piece for many months and it has evolved in many ways since this picture was taken. The work is rich in symbolism and a delight to behold if yet still incomplete. You can follow the progress of this painting at 'Mesmerised by the Sirens'.


Tales from the land of Oz share the experiences of 'Autumn in Oz'. 'Saving our Trees' are 'Mad about Fig Trees'. Faerie Moon Creations post twinkles with magic as the blue jay moves into her Lilac Tree. Lois Wakeman sows us her springtime blossoms. Ash Krafton tells of the distracting nature of trees in her humorous post 'grabbing gold'. Autumn Belle writes:

"We can learn a lot from the trees - they are always grounded, but never stop reaching heaven wards.... ~ Everett Manor "

Garden writer Carol shares offerings for Bloom Day and her adventures in Lob's Wood. Joan shares her poem 'Dulwich Woods' while poet Elizabeth Rimmer presents her poem, 'Birch Tree Englyn' below.

Seed tree, weed tree, the shining silver birch
grows in the waste places.
Pioneer on the peat hags –
forest trees root in its wake.


Aleph so carefully catches the elemental beauty of nature mingled with art and dressed with the words of Conrad Aitkin in her post 'Tree'. Suzi of Spirit Whispers generously shares her gentle observations of the unfurling trees, the ladybirds that live on the trees, the buds of the Ash and the Elm, feathers in the breeze and in 'Wise Woman Elder' Suzi echo's our thoughts.

'Trees talk... if you're prepared to listen.... to sit in silence.... and hear. Not just the sound of of leaves or branches in the breeze... but a voice from deep within...'

A thought that evokes the poem 'A Murmur in the Trees' by Emily Dickinson:

A Murmur in the Trees -- to note --
Not loud enough -- for Wind --
A Star -- not far enough to seek --
Nor near enough --

A Hazy Moon flows with beauty in posts 'Wet Woods', 'Sun on the Gums' and 'Koala Update'. Shine the Divine and 'Woodland Things' show us the graceful art of Haiku. Below, Indiaphagme shows us different kind of 'Arbre De Vie - Tree of Life'.

Nature Blogger Matthew Wills educates us with his beautiful insights of Apple Cedar Rust and encounters of the destructive nature of the the earth worm on the Northern Hardwood Forests. Noelle explains how 'large trees with little leaves' survive hot dry conditions. Roberta shares with us her 'mystery seed' and the delights of the Redwood Forests. Robin spends her Independence Day with friends and trees. Joan shows us the beauty of the Serviceberry. Ash of Treeblog shares magical visions in the post Loch Tay and the Falls of Acharn. and Arati offers us 'Images from the Tree Park', 'Pink' trees, and Lavender trees reminding me of the poem 'City Lilacs' by Helen Dunmore.

Lilac, like love, makes no distinction.
It will open for anyone.
Even before love knows that it is love
Lilac knows that it must blossom.

Above, Susan Sanford share her Grandfather Tree. Lisa Atchison works trees and leaves into her glass beads. Jim Moffat shows us just how much trees influence each of his paintings in his 'WaterColor Digest'. Ester Wilson shares her organic tree and plant sketches in her Daily Drawings and Nick Gulley teaches the delights of looking up. The Silver Lodge treats us with creative displays of nature and tree inspired Jewelry. 'Recovery in Art' highlights the magical healing qualities of nature and trees in her post about the Celtic Tree of life.

'The Celtic Tree of Life. One of the most spiritual symbol of the Celts, intertwining begin and end, each drawing experience and strength from each other'.



Lastly, the very talented Debrina made the film clip above as part of her contribution to the Pulp Redux collaboration . You can read more about the making of this tree inspired altered book HERE.

So now, this May Festival draws to a close and I thank each and every participant for all of the enjoyable posts I have read these past days. I offer thanks to all that take the time to read this post and visit the links.The June edition of The Festival of the Trees will be hosted by Wandering Owl Outside, http://wanderingowloutside.wordpress.com/. The deadline is May 30th. The Theme for the June festival is: The relationship betwen trees and game animals/birds, or any environmental benefits of trees. Please email all submissions to: cjharn [at] gmail [dot] com.

It is now time to go and celebrate Beltane festivities. I leave you all with a Maypole Dance of Glastonbury.

Happy Beltane!


When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak,
and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair...

-- Loreena McKennitt



53 comments:

Anne said...

merry beltane to you,jasmine:))

taranova said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Paula said...

Blessings. What a wonderful Beltane thnaks to all coming together here.

Jasmine said...

I have just noticed that some of the links seem to have disappeared. My computer crashed yesterday and the draft i was working on did not save. i have no knowingly missed anyone out so if you submitted something that does not show here please let me know and i will sort that out for you.

Thank you all again for such wonderful posts. xxJ

Jacqueline said...

What a lovely introduction to Festival of the Trees & such variety! The photo of the owl took my breath away. I can't wait to start reading.
Thank you for putting it all together in such a creative way & for including my submission. I imagine it is a big job.
Thanks also to everyone who submitted because I hang out for FoTTs every month. It's great reading & great armchair travel.

taranova said...

Great festival jasmine ; )

Suzi Smith said...

Beltaine Blessings to you jasmine on this fine first of May... what a wonderful, introduction to the Festival this month, some lovely quotations & that owl of Tammie's was already one of my favourites lately!
I'm honoured you included more than one of my posts... i seem to have monopolised a paragraph, which wasn't my intention, but I do find this time of year inspiring! Thank you for the work you have put in to this post, however pleasurable it was xx

Fiona said...

What a wonderful and comprehensive post. You must have been working so hard. I'll be dipping in and out of this all weekend. Have a lovely time. xx

Forthvalley scribe said...

wow, so much! Thank you Jasmine!

Healing Woman said...

Beautiful Beltane celebration! I am very honored to be a part of your presentation. Thank you! I will be going to each of the links throughout the day.

Delphyne said...

Wonderful post and pictures, Jasmine! Happy Beltane! xoxo

Jo said...

Happy Beltane, Jasmine. And what a celebration of beauty you are show-casing here - quite took my breath away: the photos, the artistic responses, the words, the poems. The Philip Larkin poem, particularly, really touched my heart today. Thank you.
Hugs x

nefaeria said...

Happy Beltane! And what a wonderful post idea. :)

Caterina Giglio said...

beltane blessings back to you dear Jasmine! loved the video, just wonderful and put a smile on my face for sure! of course Lynnes tree people are fabulous and a great post all the way around! lovely!

patricia said...

Beautiful and extremely sensitive post, you´ve worked hard and the result is a delilght. I´ve been through the links, the variety and beauty of the works you show is inmense and moving. Hugs and kisses, and happy Beltane :)

Laura said...

Jasmine this is fabulous!!!! So many gorgeous offerings to receive. I am looking forward to spending time with each post. You wove this all together so beautifully...like branches entangled and reaching at the same time.

blessings,
laura

parisa mahmoudi said...

What a nice festival dear Jasmine!!!
Wish you a great weekend
xoxo
Parisa

Dave said...

Looks like a spectacular edition of the Festival of the Trees! Thanks so much for hosting. I can't wait to follow all the links.

BluMoon said...

Jasmine, this is wonderful I enjoyed reading through your blog and I am going through every link not to miss a single thing, thank you so much for including me.
Jackie

Caio Fern said...

what a lovely and inspiring posting ,Jasmine . so much celebration !!
i just didn't see the videos as my internet is too slow .
thank you for this .
be happy !

Patricia Ariel said...

love the post Jasmine, so inspiring! thank you so much for posting my unfinished artwork and give another dimension to it... I love each one of the works you featured here -- specially Tammie's picture, since the owl is one of my animal totems... it really caught my attention and heart!! Many blessings to you dear one, and a wonderful Beltane!!

Martine said...

Hi Jasmine, there are some beautiful entries.
Happy Beltane to you, enjoy the festival!
XXXm

lynne h said...

ahhh, what a sweet, SWEET post jasmine! all of this tree love - makes me positively dizzy!

happy, glorious beltane to you,sweet woman!

xoxo

Theresa MacNaughton said...

What an amazing post! I made sure to share the link on my blog today. I am head over heals in love with that owl photograph from Tammie Lee...it's just so stunning. Happy Beltane, Jasmine! :) Theresa

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Wonderful to see so much inspiration from trees.x

Yvette said...

what a wonderful post
all those trees.
Happy Beltane Jasmine and all the others here.

yvette

Jo Potter said...

Many Beltane Blessings to you, Jasmine. x:)
This is a great post, celebrating the trees. All of the images are wonderful. Lovely to see Tammie's photo of the owl in the tree.
Have a magical weekend, sweetie.
xx:)

Robin said...

What a beautiful festival, I'm honored to be a part of it. Happy Beltane to all - may we all find the new beginnings we seek.

-----------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

Anonymous said...

Great post. So much to link to. Thanks for your comments and can't wiat to see what you create with your bundle pieces.

Corrine

BadPenny said...

Wow what an amasing post ! Thanks for visiting - glad you liked my May dress.
There will be Maypole dancing on the village green tomorrow. My daughter used to take part when she was a Brownie.

Ces Adorio said...

OMG! I am so blown away! My head is reeling from reading this magnificent post. I have been here before. How come you and I are not sisterfriends? We should be! I saw myself as I read your post. You are wonderful! Happy Beltane.

Thank you for your comment on Arija.

Lynne Hoppe is terrific.

Thanks again.

Ces Adorio said...

Jasmine, I am going to draw a tree today to celebrate Beltane. I love the Festival of Trees!!!

HEAVEN!!!!!

You made me so happy today even though my sisterfriend Arija is in the hospital.

Thank you Jasmine.

Tammie Lee said...

Jasmine this is a brilliant post that overflows with love, respect, and union with life and trees. I love how you creatively presented everyone mixed with poetry, films and art! I look forward to visiting each and everyone. Also, it is wonderful to see my owl photo on your post!

Sandra said...

happy Beltane to you Jasmine. I visited Glastonbury in 2006. It was a lovely experience. Hope to go to the goddess conference in future....

XXX

Sparklyjools said...

I have been away on holiday, but hope it is not too late to wish but wish you a joyful and blessed Beltane. You have worked so hard and these posts look wonderful, I am so enjoying looking through them all. The photo of the owl peering through the branches is wonderful! x

kenflett said...

You have such a beautiful blog here and your soulful and inspiring way you work with nature and felt is wonderful.
ken

Debrina said...

This is fantastic Jasmine. Beautiful posting! The Celtic Tree and the Anglo Saxon World Tree are very similar and have influences in each other.

Carol Anne Strange said...

Bright Beltane wishes, Jasmine, and thank you for such a magical post. The Festival of Trees is a fine celebration and this is a beautiful introduction. I now feel so truly inspired. Much love and light as we dance into spring's song. xx

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Came back to watch the dance with my kids.... we missed the Maypole this year due to previous engagement... imagine that!!!! -J

Richard said...

Thank you, Jasmine, for including me in the Festival of Trees, among so many terrific pictures and artists. I am very flattered and glad to help you celebrate Beltane. Happy May Day to you.

Karin Bartimole said...

A happy Beltane to you Jasmine - thank you for bringing together all these beautiful tree inspired offerings! This is a true celebration for trees and we who love them. xox K

CAROLYN SAXBY said...

All so beautiful. I hope you had a gorgeous weekend Jasmine. I shall now hop off and follow all the links. I'm already a huge fan of Lynne Hoppe and Debrina. Have a wonderful week. I'm glad to be back and in touch again!

Hugs to you sweetie
xoxo

Jade L Blackwater said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely - beautiful work Jasmine, a fitting herald for May!

Kind thanks for all your hard work.

Jade

Deborah said...

Happy Beltane! I'm enjoying your wonderful post!

Titus said...

Thank you Jasmine, quite simply a wondrous post!

Shayna said...

Brilliance and great beauty, dear Jasmine ~ and what a marvelous collection of artwork. xo

t said...

Wonderful post Jasmine, happy beltane.....

xt

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Jasmine, I am just catching up with your lovely posts. The Tree of Life Festival sound great. Thanks for sharing all those pics with us. Your wool felting creations are also very lovely and creative. Hugs Judy

TheFeltElf said...

My goodness, Jasmine what a wonderful post, packed full of wonderful art and words. I love green shrine tree and that Lynne leave artwork for nature to add to and Patricia's tree of life artwork is so stunning, I took a gander at her blog.
Trees fill me with immense joy and peace, thank you!!!

Jasmine said...

Thank you all for you very kind comments. All of the submissions this month were fantastic and a pleasure to read through. Reading through your comments has also been uplifting. Thank you.

Brian Miller said...

happy beltane jasmine...so nice to see you over at the tt site...will drop by tomorrow to se hat you have...smiles.

Anonymous said...

I adore the celebration of life and hope here on your page!

Thank you for finding me and leading me to this wonderful place.

Warmest wishes and endless cheers--
Ash

Yvonne Osborne said...

What beautiful paintings you have here and a lovely tribute to trees. I especially love the Tree of Life. I want it in my house!!

Thanks for all of this.